Rape victims all treated properly

I appreciated Kathleen Parker's column "A strong voice for rape victims" (March 24), but I take exception to her characterization of the rape kit collection process as "a hideous ordeal" and of her dismissal of those people a woman encounters when she shows up at the hospital after a sexual assault as disinterested or judgmental. That's not the case, at least here in Cincinnati.

As a volunteer with Women Helping Women, I have been present at many Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exams at University and Bethesda North hospitals, and I have never seen a sexual assault survivor treated with anything but courtesy, empathy and compassion by the social workers, the nurses or the volunteers who are there to support her.

The exam proceeds only if the survivor chooses. She can consent to some parts and refuse others, or decide not to have the exam at all. No one pressures her or hurries her. The physical exam itself takes one to two hours, not four to six. And throughout, the SANE nurses (who often are not on shift when the middle-of-the-night need arises but gladly report for duty, regardless of the hour) somehow create a down-to-earth, caring and protected space for anyone who finds herself in this sad circumstance. Within that exam room, it's just one woman helping another.

I don't know what it is like to be a survivor and I don't mean to minimize the difficulty of the SANE exam process. Rape, and its aftermath, isn't something anyone wants to experience. But I hope no survivor decides against going to the hospital because she's afraid of the reception she'll be given or of the SANE exam process. She'll be in safe hands.

Susan Brogden, Harrison

The series on heroin is
eye-opening, heart-rending

The series on heroin is the most amazing, eye-opening, heart-rending story. I hope everyone will read it, watch the videos online, develop compassion for the people involved on both sides and wake up!

Enquirer, you deserve a Pulitzer for this one.

Pamela Fletcher, Northside

War will end when nations reconsider their priorities

In the wake of President Obama's trip to the region, I am reminded of Golda Meir's insight about peace between Israel and her neighbors: "Peace will come when the Arabs love their children more than they hate ours."

Paul Bloustein, Sycamore Township

Restoration of diplomacy great outcome of trip

President Obama's visit to Israel has led to the positive announcement that Israel and Turkey will restore diplomatic relations. Tensions between the two countries escalated after Israeli commandos, in May 2010, stopped and boarded the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish vessel that was attempting to break the internationally sanctioned Israeli naval blockade of Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan agreed to return their ambassadors to their posts. After Israel apologized, Turkey accepted the apology and said it would cancel legal action against Israeli soldiers.

What a fine outcome to tragic events, for which all three leaders deserve our praise.

Some of us in NKY like
Massie just the way he is

There you go again. The Enquirer seems obsessed with telling us how awful Northern Kentucky's Thomas Massie (R) is ("Massie proud to be 'Mr. No' " March 22).

Reporter Scott Wartman wants you to be concerned about NKY not getting its "fair share" of pork, and references a website (Politico) that is practically an arm of the White House and Democratic Party to further make his point. Mr. Wartman, thanks for the concern, but some of us kind of like the way our congressman goes about his job and we are actually aware of why he voted the way he did in each case.

Why is it so hard for The Enquirer to show Massie in a positive light - such as "Massie proud to represent his constituents' best interests." After all, the majority of his constituents will vote him in again in 2014.

Chuck Donovan, Union■

ADVERTISEMENT

Most Popular

Most Commented

More Headlines

Most Viewed

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Rape victims all treated properly

I appreciated Kathleen Parker's column 'A strong voice for rape victims' (March 24), but I take exception to her characterization of the rape kit collection process as 'a hideous ordeal' and of her